Places of Interest

This house is located on the northwestern corner of the square of the city of La Serena, the capital of the Fourth Region. It stands out because it does not follow the traditional patterns of architecture. It is one of the few residential houses left in the area and it is the only nineteenth-century house opposite the plaza.

At the southern border of the Atacama Region, about 100 kms north of the beautiful city of La Serena, we can find what is called El Desierto Florido ( The Flowered Desert ). It is a natural phenomenon that occurs occasionally in rainy seasons, allowing nature to flourish in an area that we can practically only find cactus. It lasts approximately 3 months. We can appreciate the great diversity of species that are present. However, flowering is not even around the entire area. There are some species with more domain in areas of coastal influence and others, mainly inland. Not all species flower simultaneously.

San Pedro de Atacama was one of the main headquarters of the Atacameños, and the Spanish were obliged to pass through here on their way to Chile. There are documents that testify that in 1557, San Pedro was " Indian Doctrine" and had a chapel which was served by the presbitarian priest Don Cristóbal Díaz de los Santos. The mission chapel of St. Peter was alongside the cemetery, but there is no trace of it today.

The current church was built around 1745 and it is characterized for being simple and sober, presenting architectural unity. Its Latin cross is 41 mts. long and 7.5 mts. wide, this being the largest of the churches in the Atacama Desert. The main and side doors are very simple, but well laid out and in excellent proportion; striking, however, is the weak puffiness in the voussoirs of the arch of the main entrance facing the north. The nave and transept are spacious, the well-proportioned arches open on both wings and, at the further end, the altars are raised.

The Moon Valley is located in the mountain range La Sal, in the Atacama Desert, Second Region in the north (15 kms. northwest of San Pedro de Atacama). This natural sanctuary is a true geological wonder for humanity. Because of its lunar-like appearance, they named it the Luna (Moon) Valley. The sunsets seen from the valley are a real spectacle. At sunset, the hills begin to change colors, the sky goes from pink to purple to black, while the wind blows through the rocks. 

The valley measures about 12 kms. square and the journey can take between 3 to 4 hours, showing the harsh beauty of its landscape, the erosion of the relief and the salinity expressed in its surroundings shining intensely in the moonlight. Tourists are advised to take enough water, lip and radiation sunblock and a jacket to cover themselves from the wind that usually can be found at 2700 mts above sea level.

National Reserve Los Flamencos Founded in 1990, this beautiful reserve is located on the outskirts of San Pedro de Atacama. Within its borders, the national reserve has 5 branches which include the Valle de la Luna, the Salar de Atacama, Tara and Pujsa and Lagoons Miscante and Miñiques, each one with different flora and fauna. Their altitudes range from 2300 mts above sea level to 5910 mts. above sea level, consisting of mountainous and volcanic relief. 

Within the fauna we can observe the culpeo fox, the chilla vizcachas, flamingos, condors, eaglets, the ñandu and jarjual ducks. Regarding the flora, we can appreciate the cachiyuyo, tar and salt grass. There is a water system implemented to maintain the flora and fauna of the area, among which we can highlight the already mentioned Lagoons Miscante and Miñiques, Lagoon Puilar, Chaxa and Barros Negros.

Atacama Salt Bank is located 56 kms. southeast of San Pedro de Atacama, in the Antofagasta Region. It has an area of 3000 km2, which transforms it into the largest salt bank in Chile. At an altitude which reaches over 2300 mts. above sea level, the air we breathe is completely dry. We have an extraordinary view of this giant salt bank. We can appreciate the beauty of the mountain range La Sal to the north and west and see the various attractions presented by this inhospitable landscape. Nonetheless, the tourists often suffer a distortion of the distances.

Within this radiant, white landscape and semi-crystalline waters, it is possible to find lagoons formed by the erosion of the landscape. The most important lagoon is Chaxa located in the National Reserve Los Flamencos, where we can find flora adapted to the saline environment and the desert climate such as tar and cachiyuyo. As for fauna, we can highlight the Chilean and Andean flamingos, hence the name of the reserve, as well as the chorlos de la puna, Andean gulls, birds migratory and maybe a swallow or two can be seen.

The Elqui Valley is not only known for its mystical splendors and skies, but also because it is in this area where one of the most distinctive liquors of Chile is produced, Pisco.

From La Serena to the east, approaching the valley, you can not help but notice the number of vineyards in the area, emphasizing the deep green color in the arid mountains. This landscape can be seen, not only on the way to Vicuña, but continuing from the village into the Elqui Valley and down into the Valley of Rio Claro, passing through the small towns on the way. This view is really interesting because the contrast caused by the mountain and the hillsides, where you can see the grape plantations, is incredible. These vineyards have to be well exploited, not only for production, but also for the thousands of tourists who want to know about the production and preparation of pisco. This is how the different pisco factories have opened their doors to tourism.

But what exactly is pisco?

Pisco is an alcoholic beverage from the brandy family, belonging to a variety of grape liquor. It is produced only in the Third Region of Atacama and the Fourth Region of Coquimbo. The history of this drink dates back to the first grapes brought to the, then, Kingdom of Chile between 1541 and 1554. According to the French scientist, Claudio Gay, the first plantations were found in the city of La Serena in 1548, harvesting the first grapes in 1551.

The soil characteristics, temperature and waters of the Elqui River made easy the development of the wine industry in the area. These environmental conditions result in the production of grapes with a lot of sugar from which we get excellent liquor. La Serena had become strong in the elaboration of wines and liquors from early times. These alcoholic drinks, which were consumed by the elite and common people, were distributed through the so-called "grocery shops”. By 1678, La Serena had 1,000 inhabitants. 

The word pisco, during the eighteenth and nineteenth century, was used in the Chilean colonial society to refer to a liquor whose flavors, alcohol content and production techniques required special grapes, different distillates produced from Aconcagua to the south. The origin of the word dates back to the production of grape liquor, which was produced in the Valley of Ica since 1613 and was being exported from the port of Pisco. Due to its expansion throughout the area, it gave name to all similar liquors.

It is important to mention that until 1798, the Elqui Valley was an area belonging to the Kingdom of Chile, which depended on the Viceroyalty of Peru. Until 1810 and 1821, the Elqui Valley and Ica, respectively, were possessions of the Spanish Empire, ruled by colonial authorities.

Production Areas

The production area of the Chilean pisco, was defined by the Decree No.181,on May 16, 1931, including the provinces of Atacama and Coquimbo, equivalent to the current regions of Atacama and Coquimbo. In this area, known as Norte Chico, the intermediate depression is replaced by transverse valleys, going from the mountains to the sea, watered by the following rivers: Copiapó, Huasco, Elqui, and Limarí Choapa. With temperature contrasts and warm and dry weather, the area is ideal for the cultivation of muscat grapes, the main grape used to produce Chilean pisco.

In Chile, pisco is considered a strong liquor. It is usually mixed with a Cola softdrink,(Coca-Cola or Pepsi-Cola). This drink is called “Piscola”, very popular in the country. It can also be combined with other drinks, such as ginger-ale, lemon lime, and sometimes orange juice and other fruit juices.

Characteristics of the Chilean Pisco

Raw Material: The elaboration of pisco grapes with an alcohol potential level less than 10.50 º is not permitted.

Distillation: The product resulting from the process of distillation of the wine to produce alcohol for pisco, can not have an alcohol content higher than 73 ° Gay-Lussac.

Content: The pisco should have a volatile acid content not exceeding 1.5 grams per liter and a minimum of impurities of 3 grams per liter at 100°Gay-Lussac to 20°C and its sugar content can not exceed 5 grams per liter.

Variety of Chilean Pisco: 

Current or traditional Pisco: 30° - 33°. 
Special Pisco: 35°. 
Reserved Pisco: 40° - 43°. 
Excellent Pisco: 46°.